Don Edwards

Widely regarded as Queensland’s No.1 umpire through the 1980s and into the ‘90s, he was an Indooroopilly State School graduate and handy junior player at Western Districts before turning to the whistle after a bout of viral meningitis cut short his playing career. His junior playing career led him to Wests, as did that of many young boys from that area, and would often play in Friday afternoon school matches umpired by the legendary Tom McArthur.

After starting in junior umpiring ranks, he was eventually part of an inaugural cadet umpiring squad initiated by Neville Sandford that included Murray Bird, Martin Hopp and Wayne Waltisbuhl, all fellow teenagers who umpired QAFL grand finals and interstate football. Graduated to Open ranks to umpire 226 QAFL matches from 1982-94, including six grand finals, second only to McArthur, Kevin Symmons and Matt Lee-Archer.

Also officiated in four interstate matches and was the Queensland umpire at the 1988 Bi-Centennial Carnival in Adelaide.

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